Buenos Aires Cafe, Este

Buenos Aires Cafe is one of Austin’s few Argentine restaurants, and it’s held its own on the East Side for a while now. The empanadas are crusty (in the best way), and there’s a pretty big menu of meat-heavy dishes—like steaks, grilled chicken, and Argentinean sausages—all served with their tangy housemade chimichurri. The dining room is cozy, with wood-paneled walls and floors, and has a buzzy energy that makes the whole experience feel very lively. And as if we needed another East Side secret to try to keep, there’s a speakeasy bar under the restaurant called Milonga Room, with vintage ’20s decor and excellent cocktails. 

photo credit: Nicolai McCrary